Rail-joint.



N0. 762,113. PATENTED JUNE 7, 1904.

H. D. AUPKE'. RAIL JOINT. APPLICATION FILED-HAB. 16.1904.'

N0 MOI-DBL.

UNITED STATES Patented June '7, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

lRAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming -part of Letters Patent N o. 762,113, dated June '7, 1904.

Application filed March l16, 1904.

To a/L uffi/0m it may-concern/.-

Be it known that I, HENRY D. AUPKE, a citizen of the United States, residingV at Sharpsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rail-Joints, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rail-joints, the object in view being to provide a splice or joint for the meeting ends of railway-rails whereby said ends may be firmly connected and braced without the aid of the usual bolts and nuts and the disadvantages incident thereto.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rail-joint consisting of a pair of fishplates or splice-bars having formed integrally therewith means whereby the said plates or bars are adapted to interlock with each other and at the same time engage the rail ends.

With the above and other objects in View the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully illustrated, described, and

. claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rail-joint embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective View of one of the fish-plates or splicebars. Fig. 3 is a' similar view of the other fish-plate or splice-bar, and Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section through the joint.

Like reference-numerals designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, 1 and 2 designate two contiguous rail ends, while 3 and 4 represent the fishplates or splice-bars formed in accordance with the present invention, said splice-bars being adapted to be arranged at opposite sides of the rail ends and to extend across the joint therein or point where the rail' ends meet or approach each other. The plates or bars Sand 4 are in the main of the usual construction, each comprising the upright body portion 5 and the base portion or flange 6, which extends over the flange at one side of the rail. One of the splice-bars is provided with a series of studs or lugs 7 projecting inward from the inner face thereof, as best illustrated in Serial No. 198,498. (No model.)

Fig. 3, said studs being preferably formed as integral parts ofthe plate or bar and each stud being provided with V-shaped notches 8 at the top and bottom thereof, thereby providing a dovetailed head or extremity 9. All ofthe dovetailed extremities or heads 9 are arranged in longitudinal alinement with each other. The other fish-plate is provided with a dovetailed groove 10, extending the entire length thereof and opening out at each end of the plate. At points intermediate the ends of the groove 10 the overhangi-ng Walls at opposite sides of the groove are notchedor cut away, as shown at 11, the notches 11 being arranged in oppositely-located pairs, as shown, and of a size adapted to admit the dovetailed heads or extremities 9 of the studs 7.

The rail ends are provided with holes 12 to receive the studs 7, and the fish-plates or splicebars are placed at opposite sides of the rail ends, so that the studs 7 pass through the holes 12 and enter the notched entrances 11. After the parts are positioned in the manner just described one of the splice-bars or fishplates is driven endwise until the studs are moved out of alinement with the notches 11, thus carrying the shoulders of the dovetailed heads or extremities 9 behind the overhanging shoulders at opposite sides of the dovetailed groove l0. In this way the two fishplates or splice-bars are effectively interlocked and held snugly and closely against opposite sides of the rail ends.

The lower flanges 6 of the plates or bars 3 and 4 are notched, as shown at 13, to receive securing-spikes 14, which are driven into the ties and which serve to prevent endwise movement between said plates, the spikes also assisting in crowding the shplates vinward againstvthe rail ends.

By means of the construction above described it will be seen that the employment of bolts and nuts is dispensed with and the disadvantages incident to the use of the same, the plates or bars being connected together and held against the rail ends by means formed integrally with or carried by said plates or bars.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new sl. A rail-joint comprising a pair of fish- IOO plates, one of which is provided in its inner face with a dovetailed groove continuing fully in a longitudinal direction from end to end of the plate and opening out through opposite terminals of the latter, enlarged at intervals to form entrances, the other plate being provided with studs insertible through openings in the rail ends and provided with dovetailed heads or extremities receivable in the entrances to the dovetailed groove in the rstnamed plate, whereby the said plates are adapted to be interlocled by relative endwise movement, substantially as described.

2. A rail-joint comprising a pair of fishplates one of which is provided with a dovetailed groove continuing fully in a longitudinal direction from end to end of the plate and opening out through opposite terminals of the latter, and the other provided with projecting studs having dovetailed extremities,and means for preventing relative endwise movement of said plates.

3. A rail-joint comprising a pair of fishplates one of which is provided with a longitudinal groove definedl by undercut side walls, and enlarged at intervals in its length to form entrances, the other plate being provided with studs having shouldered end portions insertible through holes in the rail ends and receivable in the entrances of the first-named plate, and means for preventing relative endwise movement of said plates after the studs have been moved out of line with said entrances, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY DQAUPKE.

Vitnesses:

JOHN H. AUPKE, WILLIAM C. SCHNEIDER. 

